6 Best Debt Repayment Apps to Simplify Paying Off Debt
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While inflation may have encouraged Americans to pay down debt and focus on savings, as the economy stabilized and inflation dropped, most of us returned to our credit cards. In fact, in 2024, consumer debt grew to $17.80 trillion, and credit card debt exceeded $1.14 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve.
If you’re faced with debt, finding a manageable way to repay your balances is a smart first step. The good news is, you don’t have to do this alone. Thanks to technology, there are a plethora of apps available to help make repaying your debt manageable and simple. I’ll run you through the best apps for debt repayment below so you can decide which is right for your debt-free journey.
In this article
Summary of best apps for debt repayment
- Best for beginners: Debt Payoff Planner
- Best for free debt planning: Undebt.it
- Best for iPhone users: Debt Payoff Assistant
- Best for a simple debt calculator: Unbury.me
- Best for those seeking budgeting assistance: YNAB
- Best for student loans: Changed
One company is working to make it easier for you to stay on top of your credit profile: Credit Sesame.
9/10
Cost
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Ease of Use
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Features
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Add-ons
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Compare the best apps for debt repayment
Description | Cost | Compatibility | |
Creates a debt payoff plan using different strategies. | Free; $24 annually | Android and iOS | |
Offers nine different debt payoff strategies. | Free; $12 annually | Web only | |
Uses debt snowball method for debt repayment. | Free | iOS | |
Free debt calculator. | Free | Web only | |
Complete budgeting tool. | $9.08 monthly or $109 annually | Android and iOS | |
Uses spare change to pay off loans. | $4 monthly | Android and iOS |
Best for beginners: Debt Payoff Planner
Pros & cons
Pros
- Access to free educational content.
- The paid version is feature rich.
- Do not need an account to use the services.
Cons
- The free version has limited features.
- Cannot link the bank account.
Cost: Free; $24 annually
Debt Payoff Planner’s app allows you to add different debt accounts with specific levels of detail, such as APR. This app then helps you calculate a payoff plan, helping you determine exactly how much you need to pay each month to erase your debt.
You can test out different debt repayment strategies, such as the popular avalanche method — attacking the debt with the highest interest rate first — and the snowball method — attacking the smallest balance first and slowly moving up. There are different strategies in between. You can adjust your monthly payment by account to see how increasing or decreasing a payment amount will impact your overall debt repayment goal.
It offers charts and graphs to help you better visualize your debt repayment — including payoff progress trackers to help you see how far you’ve come. There’s also access to a library of resources to help you make better decisions about tackling your existing debt with an approach that fits your budget and lifestyle.
There is a free basic version that lets you add all of your debt accounts and plan out strategies, and a paid Pro version ($24 for one year) that offers web access, printable plans, repayment templates, payment reminders, and more. It’s available for both Android and iOS.
Visit Debt Payoff Planner
Or read Joywallet's review of Debt Payoff Planner.
Best for free debt planning: Undebt.it
Pros & cons
Pros
- Fair pricing.
- Helps handle debt with ease.
- Offers seven debt repayment strategies.
Cons
- Complicated to navigate.
- Only suitable for loan payments.
- No budgeting tools.
Cost: $12 annually
Paying off debt is just one part of the problem. Figuring out how much to pay and keeping track of all of your debts are other. Undebt.it is a free debt planning app that allows you to hunker down and get strategic about paying off your debt. It's easy to use and, with no monthly fee, a great starter app to test out.
Undebt.it works by allowing you to add and manage an unlimited number of debt accounts. From there, you can choose between nine different debt payoff strategies — including the snowball and avalanche methods — or create your custom payoff plan. It lets you see projected payoff dates and interest paid and lets you export your transaction to Excel.
It's essentially a debt payoff calculator that you can use to find ways to pay off more debt or pay more interest faster. You don’t need to create an account to use the calculator tool (though it’s more helpful if you do).
While the basic version is free, you can pay for multiple enhancements for $12 a year if you want a little more out of this app. These enhancements include savings plan challenges, bill management help, the ability to sync up with other apps like YNAB (You Need a Budget), and more. There are even learning modules and resources. You can also test the premium version for free for 30 days. Undebt.it is available on the web only. There are no mobile apps currently available.
Visit Undebt.it.
Best for iPhone users: Debt Payoff Assistant
Pros & cons
Pros
- Free.
- Handles loan and credit card balances.
Cons
- Only available for iOS.
- Does not offer budgeting services.
Cost: Free
The Debt Payoff Assistant app allows you to strategically tackle your loan and credit card balances using the debt snowball method. With this approach, you’ll pay off the minimum payment on all your debt balances (and more if you can afford it) until the smallest account is paid off. You’ll then repeat the process.
This app lets you enter your different debt accounts, APR or interest rate, monthly payment amounts, and each payment due date. It shows you how much debt remains as you progress and choose whether or not to “snowball” your debt using the previously mentioned method. You can set a goal payoff date, wherein the app will calibrate how much you need to pay for each account and recalibrate as interest rates change or debts are paid off.
While simpler than other debt payoff apps on this list, this debt management tool is free. It’s available for iOS users and not offered on Android at this time.
Visit Debt Payoff Assistant.
Make a commitment to get out of debt with a dedicated team that will support you every step of the way, providing you with the necessary resources and assistance to achieve financial freedom. You’ll get the help you need without paying any fees for our services until your debts are reduced and you save money.
See if you qualify for credit card relief.
Best for a simple debt calculator: Unbury.me
Pros & cons
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Free tool.
- No requirement to create an account.
Cons
- Does not sync accounts.
- Does not offer any other tools.
Cost: Free
For a free debt calculator that saves your information, Unbury.me is worth looking into. Unbury.me is a web-based debt calculator that allows you to enter your credit card, loan, and other debt account information to get a better picture of how long it might take to pay off your debt — while seeing how much interest you’ll pay.
Unbury.me allows you to implement different debt repayment strategies to determine how much to repay each month for different debt accounts. It’s relatively simple to use, but unlike other money management apps, its only real feature is in calculating a repayment schedule. It won’t allow you to repay debt right from the tool and doesn’t sync up with your bank accounts.
If you’re looking for a tool that will help you see if you’re headed in the right direction with your debt repayment or simply want to compare debt payment strategies, unbury.me is a free option that could help.
Visit Unbury.me
Or read Joywallet's review of Unbury.me.
Best for those seeking budgeting assistance: YNAB
Pros & cons
Pros
- Available for desktop, iOS and Android.
- Flexible.
Cons
- Not free.
- Can take time getting used to.
Cost: $9.08 monthly or $109 annually
Are you ready to find out where every penny of your money goes? You Need a Budget's (YNAB) app is perfect for analyzing spending and savings trends. While you can’t pay bills or debts directly within the app, you can incorporate multiple financial accounts (including credit cards) to understand your debt repayment journey better.
YNAB allows you to set goals for spending, savings, debt repayment, and much more. It offers detailed reporting, including progress and debt trackers, spending by category, and account growth data. It offers a distinct approach to budgeting and saving and can take some time to learn.
You can try this app out for free for 34 days, after which you’ll be charged $9.08 per month or $109 annually. It’s a steep price, especially compared to other options (including free apps), but if you want the most aggressive tools, it could be worth exploring a free trial. It's also available on both Android and iOS.
Visit YNAB
Or read Joywallet's review of YNAB.
Best for student loans: Changed
Pros & cons
Pros
- Pay off loans with spare change.
- Works with different types of loans.
- Monitors your credit score.
Cons
- Not free.
- Only available as an app.
- Lacks customer support.
Cost: $4 monthly
If you’re not facing credit card debt but instead looking for a way to save even more for student loan payments, ChangEd is a savings app that can help you repay school loans even faster. While this app is only available for student loans, there is a waitlist for other loan types.
ChangEd rounds up your spare change and puts it into a ChangEd account to go towards your next student loan payment. Your account is FDIC insured, and at least $5 will be transferred from your checking account. Once your ChangEd balance reaches $50, it’s automatically sent to your student loan account.
You can earn money for recommending friends and family, change your savings speed, and pause the app if rounding up becomes too much on your budget. It costs $4 monthly, a relatively low price for an app that will autopay on your behalf.
Visit Changed.
Millions struggle with debt. We help them move on with their lives.
- End your debt stress with a proven, affordable debt relief program. Our consultants will guide you through every step.
- Everyone’s financial situation is different. That’s why we start by giving you a free debt analysis and create a custom solution based on your unique needs and goals.
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Not available in CO, HI, ND, OR, RI, VT, WA, WV, WY, MN, DE, IA.
What are different methods for repaying debt?
There are many different methods for repaying debt — but in every case, you’ll want to try to at least make the minimum required payment each month. This will keep you from being charged penalties, such as late fees, and help keep you ahead of interest, in most cases.
Some popular methods include the snowball method — where you pay the minimum on all accounts, but tackle your smallest debt first and work your way up — and the avalanche method — where you attack your highest interest rate debt first and work your way down.
Others could include focusing on credit card payments first, looking for ways to save more money, or cutting back on your budget to pay down debt sooner.
Do debt repayment apps really work?
This depends from person to person and their financial habits. Apps for debt repayment do help organize your finances and assist in handling debt payments. Many also prioritise high interest debts, automate payments or remind you of an upcoming payment. All apps do come up with a strategy that works for you. Ultimately, it boils down to how discipled you are with your approach.
FAQs
Are there any free debt repayment apps?
Yes, there are free debt management apps you can use. Undebt.it provides free debt planning services and Unbury.me offers a free debt calculator tool. You can also use your mobile banking app, in many cases, to analyze your spending and put more money towards debt payments.
I can’t make my minimum debt payment. What are my options?
It’s important to at least pay your minimum payment due by the designated date. If you can’t afford to, you have some options. First, call the creditor and let them know about your financial situation. They could waive a late fee or offer you other repayment options.
Next, take a look at your spending and budget. Could you cut back on subscriptions or other monthly expenses? Looking to increase your income through side hustles could also help.
Lastly, consider a debt consolidation loan or a 0% intro APR balance transfer credit card — but be sure you can meet the new repayment terms.
Should I pay for a debt repayment app?
Whether you pay for a debt repayment app or opt for a free solution depends on your budget, financial needs, and debt goals. Having paid options that automatically make payments on your behalf could be worthwhile for some. Access to tools, learning modules, and the ability to view all accounts at once might also make the price tag worth it.
Make a commitment to get out of debt with a dedicated team that will support you every step of the way, providing you with the necessary resources and assistance to achieve financial freedom. You’ll get the help you need without paying any fees for our services until your debts are reduced and you save money.
See if you qualify for credit card relief.
The bottom line
Paying down debt isn’t fun, but using an app can make the process easier. Different apps are available, with different functionalities, features, and payment terms, depending on your needs and type of debt accounts. If you’re torn between two apps, many offer free trials, so you can test before you buy.
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Writer
Courtney Johnston is a freelance writer, specializing in finance, travel, and health. She has written for The Chicago Tribune, Benzinga, BestReviews, Mashvisor, Fundera, MoneyGeek, and The Culture Trip. She also teaches writing instruction at the University of Indianapolis. Courtney currently resides in Indianapolis.
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